TAIZE is an ecumenical, meditative common prayer, incorporating song, chant, scripture readings, and silence. People of ALL faith traditions are welcome this monthly candlelight service. The services are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St. The next Taize service will be held on Tuesday, December 18, at 7:00 p.m. (Note: one week earlier than usual due to the Christmas holiday)

A FREE COMMUNITY MEAL is offered at St. Mary's on the third Saturday of every month. The meal is served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and ALL are welcome. There is no RSVP required. Free will donations will be accepted. Please watch the newsletter and website for the menu, which will be published a week or two before the event. The next Community Meal is Saturday, December 15.

We Pray For

Parishioners: Jerry and the family of Valori; Gail and the family of Nancy;

The season of Advent begins this Sunday. Advent is my favorite time of year. It is the darkest time of the year as the days grow shorter and yet we are always journeying toward the light. We light our Advent wreaths, bright Christmas lights can be seen all over town and they pierce the darkness down every block. So while the darkest days are upon us we are reminded of the coming light of Christ. Let us strive to be a light for others, let our lives show forth the light of Christ that has come into the world. The season of Advent is a season of hope and expectation, of waiting and preparation. I hope that you will take time out of your schedule during this holy season for prayer and worship. We have the full schedule for Christmas and Advent in this Newsletter.

This Sunday the Choir will lead our annual Service of Advent Lessons and Carols at 10:00 a.m. (Please note that there is no Eucharist at this service.) We will have a Eucharist for the first Sunday of Advent at 8:00 a.m. The Advent Lessons and Carols service is based on the service of Lessons and Carols that was introduced in 1918 at Kings College Chapel in Cambridge, England. I know the choir has been working so hard to bring you this service once again. Please join us as we enter into this holy season. During Advent we will be using Rite I at our 8:00 a.m. Eucharist. This is a service with rich and traditional language that harkens back to the 1789 Book of Common Prayer, the first prayer book of the Episcopal Church.

All seniors and their friends are invited to join us for the annual Senior Holiday Lunch this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. We have a great menu planned and Sandy will be leading us in signing our favorite carols. This is a great way to kick off the Christmas season. Please join us!

I will be away this week from Tuesday through Friday. If you should have a pastoral care emergency you may contact Amy in the office or one of our Co-Wardens, Marge Smith or Tracy Higgins.

See you all on Sunday,

Fran +

Christmas Gifts and Gift Cards Due on December 2

All of the families and individuals for the ReVive Center's Christmas Basket Program have been sponsored! Thank you, St. Mary's, for your generosity! Don't forget that all gifts are due this Sunday. Please wrap and label gifts (new) and put them in a cardboard box for transport to the ReVive Center. Label the box with the family code number. Please leave the box unsealed, so that we can add gift cards to it. Please bring gift cards to the office and gift items to the Nursery by 11:00 a.m. Sunday, December 2.

Thank you to everyone for continuing to make this special outreach ministry so meaningful and successful!

The annual Senior Holiday Luncheon will be held this Saturday, December 1, at 11:30 a.m. in the Great Hall. All seniors and their friends are invited to kick off the holiday season with the singing of Christmas Carols, and a wonderful holiday meal. Menu:Tossed Salad, Honey Baked Ham, Rolls and Butter, Cranberry Orange Relish, Baked Potato Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, and a Holiday Cake for dessert. Don't miss this annual tradition of fun and fellowship!! Please RSVP to the parish office at 815-459-1009.

Advent Light Bearers Needed

During the season of Advent, families or individuals are invited to light the candles on the Advent Wreath. It is a very special moment to bring the light into church at the beginning of the service, and then light the Advent candle(s). If you are interested in lighting the wreath, please see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

Advent Devotional Available

During the season of Advent, families or individuals are invited to light the candles on the Advent Wreath. It is a very special moment to bring the light into church at the beginning of the service, and then light the Advent candle(s). If you are interested in lighting the wreath, please see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

Latest Edition of Thrive Magazine Available

Please pick up a copy of the latest edition of Thrive, the magazine of the Diocese of Chicago. Inside there is a nice article that talks about our
Community Meal, and there are also a few pictures of some familiar faces from St. Mary's!! Copies are available on a Narthex table, and in the Great Hall. You may also read Thrive online here.

2019 Pledge Cards

If you have not yet turned in your pledge card for next year, please drop it off, or mail it in at your earliest convenience. If you did not receive a pledge card, there are extras on the back table. Thank you to those who have already made a pledge for 2019.

Christmas Flowers

If you would like to donate poinsettias/greens to decorate the church for Christmas, sign your name and the intention of your gift (thanksgiving for..., honor of..., or in memory of...) on the Christmas Flower Chart in the Narthex. The donation is $20.00. Checks may be made payable to St. Mary's, note "Christmas Flowers" in the memo line. You may use the envelopes on the bulletin board with the sign-up sheet, drop the envelope in the collection plate, or bring it to the office.

SERVICE SCHEDULES THROUGH EPIPHANY SUNDAY

First Sunday of Advent - Dec. 2

8:00 a.m. Eucharist

10:00 a.m. Service of Advent Lessons and Carols

(Please note that there is no Eucharist at this Service)

Second Sunday of Advent - December 9

8:00 a.m. Eucharist

10:00 a.m. Eucharist, with Choir

Third Sunday of Advent - December 16

8:00 a.m. Eucharist

10:00 a.m. service - hymns with guitar and key board

Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 23

8:00 a.m. Eucharist

10:00 a.m. Eucharist, with Choir

Christmas Eve - December 24

5:00 p.m. Children's Candlelight Communion Service with a special visitor, building the crèche and carols. For the young

and the young at heart.

10:00 p.m. Christmas Carols led by the Choir followed by a Festive Choral Eucharist.

Christmas Day - December 25

9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Eucharist with Carols

Sunday after Christmas - Dec. 30

9:00 a.m. Eucharist with carols

(Please note, only ONE service this day)

Feast of the Epiphany - Sun. Jan. 6, 2019

8:00 a.m. Eucharist

10:00 a.m. Eucharist with Choir, celebrating the Three Kings' visit to the Crèche